Enticed across to the westerly slopes of Portobello Road by the offer of a free food and beer restaurant launch, I took along my trusty Ricoh GR compact camera to capture a few night scenes.

The restaurant opening was for a new branch of Honest Burgers, who started life in Brixton Village (Granville Arcade) two years ago.

Since then they’ve thrust their burger-flipping loins in the direction of Soho and Camden, and such was the success of these outposts that yet another restaurant has spawned in the trendy Notting Hill area, at 189 Portobello Road, W11.

Being a ‘picky’ veggie in a meat-gorging arena meant that there wasn’t a lot I could tuck in to, but the beer tasted mighty fine and my companion declared the burgers/sliders to be truly top notch creations.

Here’s a view from the bar. Any similarities to Nighthawks is unintentional!

On the way back to the tube, we passed The Earl of Lonsdale pub, a cheap and cheerful Sam Smiths boozer with lovely interiors and a big beer garden.

Person peering back at the camera from the end of an alley.

Some vino and autumnal alfresco nibbles were being grazed at Negozio Classica, at 283 Westbourne Grove W11.

Alice’s antique store at 86 Portobello Road.

And yes, that really is a Christmas decoration already up on the lampost. In the beginning of October.

Store front detail.

Opposite Alice’s is Chloe Alberry, who are ready and waiting to cater to your door handle, cabinet fitting, hook, and mirror needs.

By the junction of Portobello Road and Pembridge Road can be seen the bright lights of The Sun In Splendour. These very lights proved an irresistible attraction for that last drink before heading back to Brixton.

I liked the busy interior of the pub and the fact that the thumping house music was totally incongruous. The staff were really friendly too.

At the risk of repeating myself, as a 67 year-old living abroad and not having returned to London for years, I just love the atmosphere in many of the street and pub scenes posted on this blog. They give me the impression that despite all the money (Westbourne Grove and Portobello Rd are now mega expensive?), a little something authentic still remains.